Fir, Big Indian and Eagle

[TMax]

Went out for another romp in the Catskills, this time fully loaded with snowshoes and crampons, never needed either of them. The drop in temperature made for a completely different hike from yesterday on Friday/Balsam Cap. The snow was far less deep in this area and was made good and solid by the significantly lower temps. Hikethe115 and I bushwacked up Fir from Burnham Hollow Road. What a nice way to do this peak. You start climbing up immediately and never stop until you reach the top. You get teased twice thinking your at the summit but the distance between the teases is small so it doesn't feel too bad. We then bushwacked over to Big Indian and right to the cannister. Short stop for fuel and then off to Eagle. Bushwacked a short distance and met up with the Pine Hill West Branch trail. There we ran into Rik, his significant other and their wonderful pooch! He and Hikethe115 had met previously up in the Daks. They were out grabbing Big Indian and Eagle. (Gunna post a trip report Rik?) Then away we went to grab Eagle and meet up with mcorsar who was busy bushwacking Eagle. Just like magic, we met him about 300 feet from the summit! Hung around for a short time and were rejoined by Rik and his gang. Cooled off rather quickly so away we went! Bushwacked down from Eagle to mcorsar's car at the McKenley Hollow trailhead. Sun was shining most of the day with cold (but not too cold) temps and very little wind. Perfect day for all this bushwacking! Thanks Dawn and Matt for a great hike!

 

[MattC]

Nice TR, Terri-rather than write my own, I'll just glom onto yours!

I got a late start today and took my sweet time since I was only doing Eagle and wanted to time it right to meet Terri and Dawn up there. I left McKinley Hollow TH at 10:15 or so and left the trail within about five minutes. It was one of those days when it felt really great to just be off-trail exploring. I came upon some fine little woods roads and semi-cleared areas along the steep, hemlock-laden slopes of the Hollow. Took many short stops to gaze over at Balsam across the way or to watch the downy woodpeckers do their work. Also found a neat little lunch spot up on the ridge that's actually more interested than the summit of Eagle!

I got to the summit about 1:20 or so, dropped my pack and started heading south on the trail. I planned to walk about 15 minutes and then turn back if I didn't see Terri and Dawn, and then I would have headed back and waited at my car. Within 10 minutes, there they were, merrily tramping up! Back to the summit, where Rik, Charlene and Dali showed up, as Terri mentioned. I'm really glad the timing worked out so well and we got to run into the others-good seeing y'all. After a few minutes of chatting and snacking we all took off. Rik, Char and their canine were headed back out Seager. Thanks to Dawn's GPSing, we took a slightly different route back to my car than I had taken on the way up, staying on the ridge longer before dropping back into the Hollow. We passed through some areas that had obviously been very well-cleared in the past and were now recovering. Actually, how much they'll recover is an open question, since there were signs of extensive deer browse here. Terri's sharp eye also caught an antler-rubbed tree.

It had been another ridiculously warm day, and I never once had on more than base layer and shell, never even needed mitts. I was actually getting pretty warm on the way back. We were back out around 4:30 or so-ah, these long, lazy days of sum..., I mean winter. Terri and Dawn, it was great hiking w/ you and I'm glad I was able to help w/ the car-shuttle.

Matt

 

[Rik]

Nice to meet you Terri. Here is a link to my report: My trip

 

[Jay H]

Nice hike Terri, et al. isn't it much nicer than getting stuck in a ditch?????

Jay

 

[daxs]

I see alot of progress has been made toward your winter 3500. Sounds like you had another great day in the woods.

 

[hikethe115]

It was a great hike indeed! You are right Matt that it was a great day for bushwhacking. I had a lot of fun. Of course, there wasn't much snow. It was great hiking with you Terri! And nice to see you again Rik. The trail between Big Indian and Eagle could use some work. I'm not sure if anyone has adopted that section, but it doesn't seem to be highly used.